Footwear insert

ABSTRACT

Shock/impact relieving footwear inserts that include a main body member having an upper surface and a lower surface, a plurality of spaced apart cavities extending downward from the upper surface, a plurality or protrusions extending downward from the lower surface, and a projecting wall extending from the upward surface. The main body member and/or the projecting wall can include one or more holes/vents for ventilation. The protrusions can be interconnected to form a lattice, or not interconnected. A primary aperture in the main body member can accommodate a resiliently compressible and slidable shock absorber.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/599,054 entitled “HEEL INSERT WITH SHOCK ABSORBING UNIT” and filed on May 18, 2017 (pending). To the extent appropriate, the above-disclosed application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

There is a need for further improvements in shock absorption and force distribution in footwear.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to improvements in footwear inserts used for damping the impact forces associated with walking, jogging, running, jumping, or the like.

In general terms, the present disclosure is directed to inserts adapted to be placed in an article of footwear. The inserts are adapted to deform when pressure is applied, e.g., the pressure applied by the foot of the wearer during walking or running. Through the deformation, impact force on the wearer can be dispersed and/or dissipated, reducing shock from the walking, running, jogging, etc. When no pressure is applied, the insert is adapted to resiliently return to a non-deformed stated. The insert can be constructed of a single material or multiple materials. The material or materials from which the insert is constructed can be selected to provide the desired shock absorption characteristics of the insert.

In some examples, the insert is configured as a heel insert. That is, the insert is configured to be placed at or near the heel of an article of footwear and to deform between a heel of the wearer of the footwear and the article of footwear itself (e.g., the insole). The insert can be ergonomically shaped, e.g., cupped, to comfortably receive a user's heel.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a footwear insert including a main body member having an upper surface and a lower surface opposing the upper surface, a plurality of cavities extending from the upper surface towards the lower surface, the cavities having open ends at the upper surface, and a plurality of protrusions each extending from a base at the lower surface in a direction away from the upper surface to an open end, each of the protrusions defining an interior recess that is open at the open end and closed at the base.

Further aspects of the present disclosure are directed to an article of footwear comprising a heel portion and a heel insert disposed in the heel portion, the heel insert including a main body member having an upper surface and a lower surface opposing the upper surface, a plurality of cavities extending from the upper surface towards the lower surface, the cavities having open ends at the upper surface, and a plurality of protrusions each extending from a base at the lower surface in a direction away from the upper surface to an open end, each of the protrusions defining an interior recess that is open at the open end and closed at the base.

In some examples, the insert includes a plurality of rows of the cavities. In some examples, the insert includes a plurality of rows of the protrusions. In some examples, one or more of the cavities are cylindrical. In some examples, a portion of the upper surface is disposed between each pair of adjacent cavities. In some examples, one or more of the protrusions is defined by a wall surrounding the recess. In some examples, one or more of the walls of the protrusions are cylindrical.

In some examples, at least one connecting member is disposed below the lower surface and connects the walls of an adjacent pair of the protrusions. In some examples, the at least one connecting member is downwardly (with respect to the lower surface) coextensive with the walls of the protrusions connected by the connecting member at least when the insert is in a non-deformed state. In some examples, the walls of each adjacent pair of protrusions are connected with a connecting member disposed below the lower surface, forming a lattice of the protrusions and the connecting members. In some examples, the lattice includes one or more gaps between walls of the protrusions and the connecting members. Thus, according to certain aspects of this disclosure, a footwear insert includes a resiliently deformable lattice of protrusions and connecting members extending from a surface of the footwear.

In some examples, the protrusions and/or the connecting members are resiliently deformable when pressure (such as the pressure applied by a wearer's foot and the footwear itself during walking or running) is applied to the main body member. In some examples, walls defining the cavities are resiliently deformable when downward pressure is applied to the upper surface of the main body member. To improve shock absorption, the protrusions, connecting members, and/or cavity walls can be deformable longitudinally, i.e., parallel to one or more of the longitudinal axes of the protrusions or cavities, and/or laterally, i.e., perpendicular to one or more of the longitudinal axes of the protrusions or cavities. For a given protrusion, lateral deformation can be inward (toward the longitudinal axis) or outward (away from the longitudinal axis. In addition, a given protrusion can be configured such that one or more portions of it deform inwardly while one or more other portions deform outwardly upon pressure application. Similarly, for a given cavity wall, lateral deformation can be inward (toward the longitudinal axis) or outward (away from the longitudinal axis), and the cavity wall can be configured such that one or more portions of it deform inwardly while one or more other portions deform outwardly upon pressure application.

According to further aspects of the present disclosure, a heel insert is provided of unitary construction. That is, the heel insert includes a plurality of features and all of the features of the heel insert are included in a single integrated unit capable of placement in an article of footwear. In some examples, the heel insert is adapted for placement immediately above the insole of an article of footwear. Thus, it should be appreciated that examples of the heel inserts in accordance with the present disclosure can be designed for use in existing articles of footwear without modifying or specially adapting any other aspect of the footwear to the heel insert. In some examples, the heel insert of unitary construction, including all of its features, is formed using an injection molding process.

According to further aspects of the present disclosure, a heel insert of a flexibly resilient material and of unitary construction includes a main body having an upper surface and a lower surface opposing the upper surface, a plurality of cavities extending from the upper surface towards the lower surface, the cavities having open ends at the upper surface, and a plurality of protrusions each extending from a base at the lower surface in a direction away from the upper surface to an open end, each of the protrusions defining an interior recess that is open at the open end and closed at the base, the heel insert further including a curved projecting wall extending from the upper surface of the main body member and above the upper surface around at least a rear portion of the insert, the projecting wall having a curved front surface and a curved back surface, the projecting wall being contoured to receive the back of the heel of a wearer of the footwear. In some examples, the projecting wall has opposing side components extending from a curved rear component that taper towards the upper surface of the main body member.

In some examples, the projecting wall includes a first set of air vents comprising a plurality of spaced apart holes extending between the front surface and the back surface of the projecting wall to provide ventilation to the user's foot. In some examples, the main body includes a second set of air vents comprising a plurality of holes extending between the upper surface and the lower surface of the main body to provide ventilation to the user's foot. In some examples, the second set of air vents includes a first subset of air vents and a second subset of air vents, the first subset of air vents including a plurality of elongated holes or slits disposed between the projecting wall and one or more of: a back row of the plurality of cavities; and/or one or both of two opposing outer side rows of a plurality of cavities, and the second subset of air vents being disposed between a forward edge of the main body member and a front row of the plurality of cavities, the front row and the back row of cavities being substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the outer side rows of the cavities. According to further aspects of the present disclosure, a footwear insert comprises a heel insert of unitary construction, the heel insert comprising: a main body member having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface defining an outer edge that includes a front portion, a curved rear portion, and two substantially straight opposing side portions; a plurality of cavities extending from the upper surface towards the lower surface, each of the cavities having a top and a bottom, the top being open and the bottom being open or closed and above the lower surface; and a primary aperture extending between the upper surface and the lower surface and at least partially surrounded by some of the plurality of cavities, the primary aperture being at least substantially centralized with respect to: a) a front and a back of the footwear insert and/or b) opposing sides of the footwear insert.

According to further aspects of the present disclosure, a footwear assembly comprises: a heel insert of unitary construction, the heel insert comprising: a main body member having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface defining an outer edge that includes a front portion, a curved rear portion, and two substantially straight opposing side portions; a plurality of cavities extending from the upper surface towards the lower surface, each of the cavities having a top and a bottom, the top being open and the bottom being open or closed and above the lower surface; and a primary aperture extending between the upper surface and the lower surface and at least partially surrounded by some of the plurality of cavities, the primary aperture being at least substantially centralized with respect to: a) a front and a back of the footwear insert and/or b) opposing sides of the footwear insert; the assembly further comprising a resiliently compressible shock absorber extending above, below, and through the primary aperture.

According to further aspects of the present disclosure, an article of footwear comprises: an upper member; an outsole, the outsole having a heel portion, the heel portion including a vertically extending bore having an open top and an open bottom; the article of footwear further comprising a heel insert of unitary construction, the heel insert being positioned within the upper member and above the outsole and comprising: a main body member having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface defining an outer edge that includes a front portion, a curved rear portion, and two substantially straight opposing side portions; a plurality of cavities extending from the upper surface towards the lower surface, each of the cavities having a top and a bottom, the top being open and the bottom being open or closed and above the lower surface; and a primary aperture extending between the upper surface and the lower surface and at least partially surrounded by some of the plurality of cavities, the primary aperture being at least substantially centralized with respect to: a) a front and a back of the footwear insert and/or b) opposing sides of the footwear insert, the primary aperture being vertically aligned with and in communication with the vertically extending bore; the article of footwear further comprising a resiliently compressible shock absorber extending through the primary aperture and the vertically extending bore.

According to further aspects of the present disclosure, a footwear insert comprises: a heel insert of unitary construction the heel insert comprising: a main body member having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface defining an outer edge that includes a front portion, a curved rear portion, and two substantially straight opposing side portions; a plurality of protrusions extending downward from the lower surface, the upper limits of the plurality of protrusions defining a protrusion region on the lower surface; and an area within the protrusion region that is devoid of protrusions, the area occupying an area at least as large as four of the protrusions.

According to further aspects of the present disclosure, a footwear assembly comprises: a heel insert of unitary construction, the heel insert comprising: a main body member having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface defining an outer edge that includes a front portion, a curved rear portion, and two substantially straight opposing side portions; a plurality of cavities extending from the upper surface towards the lower surface, each of the cavities having a top and a bottom, the top being open and the bottom being open or closed and above the lower surface, the tops of the plurality of cavities defining a cavity region of the upper surface; and a primary aperture extending between the upper surface and the lower surface, an upper limit of the primary aperture being disposed within the cavity region, the primary aperture being at least substantially centralized with respect to: a) a front and a back of the footwear insert and/or b) opposing sides of the footwear insert; and a resiliently compressible shock absorber extending above, below, and through the primary aperture.

Without being limited to any particular theory of operation, it is believed that, for a wearer of an article of footwear having one of the disclosed inserts installed therein, the structure, placement, and distribution of the protrusions, the connecting members, and/or the cavities of the footwear inserts of the present application provide for excellent force dispersion and shock absorption; and/or the placement and number, shape, and/or size of the ventilation holes provide for improved ventilation of the foot of the user of the insert during walking/running, and so forth. In addition, the unitary structure of some examples of the footwear inserts disclosed can provide for more efficient and less expensive manufacturing and also facilitate removal and installation of the insert to/from a plurality of different articles of footwear without altering or adapting the article of footwear to accommodate the insert.

A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The aspects relate to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments of the present disclosure and therefore do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and are intended for use in conjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description. Embodiments of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements.

FIG. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of a footwear insert in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the footwear insert of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the footwear insert of FIG. 1

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the footwear insert of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a further side view of the footwear insert of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the footwear insert of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the footwear insert of FIG. 1 along the line 7-7 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a further embodiment of a footwear insert in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the footwear insert of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the footwear insert of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a rear view of the footwear insert of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a further side view of the footwear insert of FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the footwear insert of FIG. 8.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the footwear insert of FIG. 1 along the line 14-14 in FIG. 8.

FIG. 15 is a top view of a further embodiment of a footwear insert in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the footwear insert of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a top view of a further embodiment of a footwear insert in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the footwear insert of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a top view of a further embodiment of a footwear insert in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 is a bottom view of the footwear insert of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a top view of a further embodiment of a footwear insert in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 22 is a bottom view of the footwear insert of FIG. 19.

FIG. 23 is a top view of a further embodiment of a footwear insert in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 24 is a bottom view of the footwear insert of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a top view of a further embodiment of a footwear insert in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 26 is a bottom view of the footwear insert of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is partial schematic view of an article of footwear including any one of the footwear inserts of FIG. 19, 21 or 23 and a slidable shock absorber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views and embodiments. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the claimed invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-7, in an example embodiment of a footwear insert 100 in accordance with the present disclosure, the insert 100 includes a main body member 110, and has a front 101, a back 103, and opposing sides 105. The insert 100 can, but need not be, of unitary construction.

The insert 100 has an upper surface 102 facing substantially upward, and a lower surface 104 facing substantially downward (i.e., away from the upper surface 102). A plurality of cavities 106, each having an open end 108 at the upper surface 102, extend substantially downwards from the open ends 108 towards the lower surface 104. Each of the cavities 106 includes a closed end 112 disposed between the upper surface 102 and the lower surface 104. The depth of the cavities 106 (i.e., the distance between the open end 108 and the closed end 112 can vary). For example, the cavities 106 towards the front of the inert 100 can be shallower than the cavities disposed towards the rear of the insert 100.

Optionally, one or more of the cavities can have an open bottom end disposed between the upper surface 102 and the lower surface 104, such that air can flow between the upper surface 102 and the lower surface 104 through such open bottomed cavity(ies).

In the example shown, each of the cavities is defined by a cylindrical side wall 114 between the open end 108 and the closed end 112 that defines the cavity volume 119.

In some examples, one or more pairs of adjacent open ends 108 can touch, such that adjacent cavity volumes 119 are in open communication with each other, and/or such that the side walls 114 of one or more pairs of adjacent cavities touch. In other examples, such as the example shown, adjacent pairs of open ends 108 do not touch, such that a portion of the upper surface 102 separates every pair of adjacent open ends 108 of cavities 106.

In addition, in the example shown the cavities 106 are provided in a plurality of rows (such as the row 20, which has a first end 21 a and a second end 21 b, and the row 30, which has a first end 31 a and a second end 31 b). In some examples, such as the example shown, the rows of the cavities 106 can vary in number of cavities per row. For example, the row 20 includes five cavities 106, while the row 30 includes thirteen cavities 106. The number and distribution of the cavities 106 can be selected to enhance the shock absorbing characteristics of the insert 100 and/or to customize the insert for a particular user or users. For example, the density of the cavities 106 can be greatest at or towards the area where the force of the user's heel is likely to be predominantly focused, and less dense towards the outer edge 111 of the upper surface 102.

In at least some examples, the side walls 114 of at least some of the cavities 106 can provide shock/impact relief. This can be accomplished, for example, by providing side walls 114 that are deformable longitudinally, i.e., parallel to one or more of the longitudinal axes A of cavities 106, and/or laterally, i.e., perpendicular to one or more of the longitudinal axes A of the cavities 106. Thus, for example, the cavities can be configured such that, when foot pressure is applied to the insert 100, one or more portions of the side walls 114 of the cavities 106 shrink longitudinally and/or shrink and/or expand laterally. In addition, one or more of the portions of the upper surface 102 disposed between and among the cavities 106 can also resiliently deform laterally (e.g., to increase or decrease the amount of upper surface between pairs of adjacent cavities) and/or longitudinally under applied foot-pressure, which can further enhance force distribution and shock/impact relief.

A plurality of spaced apart protrusions 130 protrude from the lower surface 104 of the insert 100. Some or all of the protrusion 130 include a closed end 132 that coincides with the lower surface 104 and a wall 136 that extends downward from a base 137 at the closed end 132 to an open end 134. However, one or more of the protrusions can optionally include an open end at the lower surface 104.

In the example shown, the wall 136 is cylindrical and has an inner cylindrical surface 138 and an outer cylindrical surface 140. The wall 136 defines a recess 142 that extends between the closed end 132 and the open end 134. In this example, the recess 142 is cylindrical, being defined by the inner cylindrical surface 138 of the wall 136.

The number and distribution of the protrusions 130 can be adapted to a specific desired configuration, e.g., customized to a particular user or users. In addition, the density of the protrusions 130 (the number of protrusions per unit area within the entire protrusions area) can be selected based on customizable requirements. For example, a distribution of protrusions 130 can be centralized around an anticipated predominant focal point of a foot-applied pressure on the insert 100 during walking/running.

In the example shown, the protrusions 130 are distributed in a plurality of rows, such as the row 141 which extends between a first row end 143 a and a second row end 143 b. In the example insert 100, adjacent pairs of protrusions do not touch and are not connected other than via the lower surface 104, such that a portion of the lower surface 104 separates every pair of adjacent protrusions 130.

In at least some examples, one or more of the protrusions 130 can provide shock/impact relief. This can be accomplished, for example, by configuring the walls 136 such that they are deformable longitudinally, i.e., parallel to one or more of the longitudinal axes B of recesses 142, and/or laterally (i.e., perpendicular to one or more of the longitudinal axes B of the recesses 142). Thus, for example, the protrusions can be configured such that, when foot pressure is applied to the insert 100, one or more portions of the walls 136 shrink longitudinally and/or shrink and/or expand laterally. In addition, one or more of the portions of the lower surface 104 disposed between and among the protrusions 130 can also resiliently deform laterally (e.g., to increase or decrease the amount of lower surface between pairs of adjacent protrusions) and/or longitudinally under applied foot-pressure, which can further enhance force distribution and shock/impact relief.

The insert 100 includes projection a projecting wall 150 having a rear component 152 and two opposing side components 154. The projecting wall 150 can be adapted to cup the heel of a wearer using the insert 100 in an article of footwear worn by the wearer.

In this example, the rear component 152 and the side components 154 are connected, and there is also a detached area where one of a pair of flaps 158 of the rear component 152 overlaps each of the side components 154. Each of the side components 154 includes a taper 156 down to the upper surface 102 at the front end 101 of the insert 100. The projecting wall 150 thus, in some examples, extends at least partially upward from the outer edge 111 of the upper surface 102 of the main body member 110 around at least a rear portion and two side portions of the main body member 110, the projecting wall 150 being contoured to receive the back of the heel of a wearer of the footwear and thereby, e.g., to help properly align the user's foot with respect to the insert 100 within the footwear article.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-14, a further example embodiment of a footwear insert 200 will be described. Certain features of the footwear insert 200 are identical to those of the footwear insert 100 and are therefore indicated using like reference numerals. The following discussion of the footwear insert 200 will be limited to those features/aspects that differ from the corresponding features/aspects of the footwear insert 100.

The insert 200 includes a plurality of spaced apart protrusions 202 protruding from the lower surface 104 of the insert 200. At least some of the protrusions 202 include a closed end 210 that coincides with the lower surface 104 and a wall 212 that extends downward from a base 214 at the closed end 210 to an open end 216. In this example the wall 212 has an inner cylindrical surface 218. The wall 212 defines a recess 220 that extends between the closed end 210 and the open end 216. In this example, the recess 220 is cylindrical, being defined by the inner cylindrical surface 218 of the wall 212.

The insert 200 also includes a plurality of connecting members 230. Each of the connecting members 230 connects two adjacent protrusions 202. Each connecting member 230 is disposed below the lower surface 104, extending downwardly from the lower surface 104. In addition, in this example each connecting member 230 is downwardly coextensive with the walls 212 of the protrusions 202 connected by the connecting member 230, at least when the insert 200 is in a non-deformed state.

In the example shown, the protrusions 202 are distributed in a plurality of rows, such as the row 240 which extends between a first row end 241 a and a second row end 241 b. The rows of the protrusions 202 and interspersed connecting members 230 form an interconnected web or lattice 250 of the protrusions 202 and the connecting members 230. The lattice 250 includes gaps 206 between and among the protrusions 202 and the connecting members 230.

The number and distribution of the protrusions 202 and connecting members 230 can be adapted to a specific desired configuration, e.g., customized to a particular user or users. In addition, the density of the lattice 250 (the number of protrusions 202 and connecting members 230 per unit area of the lattice) can be selected based on customizable requirements. For example, the lattice 250 can be centralized around an anticipated predominant focal point of a foot-applied pressure on the insert 200 during walking/running. The particular example lattice 250 is configured such that each interior protrusion 202 of the lattice (the protrusions that are not located on an outside edge of the lattice 250) is connected via four connecting members 230 to four other protrusions 202. Thus, it should be appreciated that the particular lattice 250 includes a lattice subunit consisting of four protrusions 202 in a substantially square configuration.

In at least some examples, one or more of the protrusions 202 and/or the connecting members 230 can provide shock/impact relief. This can be accomplished, for example, by configuring the walls 212 such that they are deformable longitudinally, i.e., parallel to one or more of the longitudinal axes C of recesses 220, and/or laterally (i.e., perpendicular to one or more of the longitudinal axes C of the recesses 220). Thus, for example, the protrusions 202 and connecting members 230 can be configured such that, when foot pressure is applied to the insert 200, the lattice 250 deforms such that one or more of the walls 212 and the connecting members 230 shrink longitudinally and/or shrink and/or expand laterally. In addition, one or more of the portions of the lower surface 104 in the gaps 206 can also resiliently deform laterally (e.g., to increase or decrease the amount of lower surface between pairs of adjacent protrusions) and/or longitudinally under applied foot-pressure, which can further enhance force distribution and shock/impact relief.

The insert 200 includes a projecting wall 150 having a rear component 152 and two opposing side components 154. In this example, the rear component 152 and the side components 154 are connected and, unlike the insert 100, there is no detached area between the rear component and the side component. Each of the side components 154 includes a taper 156 down to the upper surface 102 at the front end 101 of the insert 200. The projecting wall 150 thus extends at least partially upward from the outer edge 111 of the upper surface 102 of the main body member 110 around at least a rear component and two side components of the main body member, the projecting wall 150 being contoured to receive and cup the back of the heel of a wearer of the footwear and thereby, e.g., to help properly align the user's foot with respect to the insert 200 within the footwear article.

Referring now to FIGS. 15-16, a further example embodiment of a footwear insert 300 will be described. Certain features of the footwear insert 300 are identical to those of the footwear insert 200 and are therefore indicated using like reference numerals.

The footwear insert 300 can be adapted to be a heel insert and can be, but need not be, of unitary construction. In some examples, the insert 300 is made of a flexibly resilient material. The heel insert 300 includes a main body member 110 having an upper surface 102 and a lower surface 104 opposing the upper surface, a plurality of cavities 106 extending from the upper surface 102 towards the lower surface 104, the cavities 106 having open ends at the upper surface, and a plurality of protrusions 202 each extending from the lower surface 104 in a direction away from the upper surface 102 to an open end, each of the protrusions 202 defining an interior recess 142 that is open at the open end and closed at the closed end.

The insert 300 further includes a curved projecting wall 150 extending from the upper surface 102 of the main body member 110 and above the upper surface 102 around at least a rear portion of the insert 300. The rear component 152 of the projecting wall 150 has a curved front surface 302 and a curved back surface 304, the projecting wall 150 being contoured to receive the back of the heel of a wearer of the footwear against the curved front surface 302. Substantially straight side components 154 of the projecting wall extend forwardly (towards the front 101) from ends of the rear component 152. Each of the side components 154 includes a taper 156 down to the upper surface 102 at the front end 101 of the insert 300.

The projecting wall 150 includes a first set 310 of air vents comprising a plurality of spaced apart holes 312, each of the holes 312 extending between the curved front surface 302 and the curved back surface 304 of the rear component 152 of the projecting wall 150 to, e.g., provide ventilation to the user's foot. In the example insert 300, there are twelve such round holes 312 evenly spaced along the rear component 152 of the projecting wall 150.

The main body member 110 of the insert 300 also includes a second set of air vents comprising a plurality of holes extending between the upper surface 102 and the lower surface 104 of the main body member 110 to, e.g., provide ventilation to the user's foot. The second set of air vents includes a first subset of air vents 320 including holes 322 and a second subset of air vents 330 including holes 332, the first subset 320 including an elongate hole or slit 322 disposed between the projecting wall 150 and each of a back row 20 of the plurality of cavities 106, and each of two opposing side rows 340 of the plurality of cavities 106, the side rows 340 being substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the back row 20. Each slit 322 is elongated in a longitudinal direction that runs substantially parallel to the adjacent row of cavities 106. The second subset 330 of is disposed between a forward edge 351 of the main body member 110 and a front row 360 of the plurality of cavities 106, the front row 360 and the back row 20 being substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the side rows 340 of the cavities 106. In the example insert 300, the second subset 330 includes four round holes 332 in two groups, each of the groups being towards one of the two sides 105 of the insert 300.

Referring now to FIGS. 17-18, a further example embodiment of a footwear insert 400 will be described. Certain features of the footwear insert 400 are identical to those of the footwear insert 300, and are therefore indicated using like reference numerals. The following discussion of the footwear insert 400 will be limited to those features/aspects that differ from the corresponding features/aspects of the footwear insert 400.

In particular, the footwear insert 400 differs from the insert 300 in the configuration of the first subset 320 of the air vents extending between the upper surface 102 and the lower surface 104. The first subset of the air vents 320 in the footwear insert 400 includes a plurality of elongated holes or slits 422 disposed between the projecting wall 150 and a back row 20 of the plurality of cavities 106. The footwear insert 400 further includes a plurality of elongated holes or slits 422 disposed between the projecting wall 150 and each of two opposing side rows 340 of the plurality of cavities 106, the side rows 340 being substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the back row 20. Each slit is elongated in a longitudinal direction, and each plurality of slits is aligned longitudinally substantially parallel to the row of cavities 106 to which they are adjacent.

It should be appreciated that the number, size, shape, and location of the holes in each of the first set and second set of air vents can be modified from the particular examples shown in the figures.

Referring now to FIGS. 19-20, a further example embodiment of a footwear insert 500 will be described. The footwear insert 500 can be of unitary construction. Certain features of the footwear insert 500 are identical to those of the footwear insert 300, and are therefore indicated using like reference numerals. The following discussion of the footwear insert 500 will be limited to those features/aspects that differ from the corresponding features/aspects of the footwear insert 300.

In particular, the footwear insert 500 includes elongated holes or slits 502 extending between the upper surface 102 and the lower surface 104 and disposed between the projecting wall 150 and each of two opposing side rows 340 of the plurality of cavities 106.

Unlike the insert 300, the insert 500 does not include the spaced apart holes 312 in the projecting wall 150. Optionally, however, the insert 500 can include one or more spaced apart holes of any shape in the projecting wall 150.

Unlike the insert 300, the insert 500 does not include the elongated slit or hole 322 disposed rearward of the back row 20 of the cavities 106. Optionally, however, the insert 500 can include such an elongated slit or a plurality of such slits or holes of any shape.

The insert 500 also includes a different configuration 504 of the holes 332 disposed forwardly of the cavities 106. In particular, the configuration 504 includes three parallel rows of the holes 332. However, other configurations of holes 332 can also be provided including, e.g., the configuration of the insert 300.

Optionally, the insert 500 includes one or more vents 506. The vents 506 are larger than the holes 332 and can take on any desired shape. In the example depicted, the vents 506 are triangular. The vents 506 extend between the upper surface 102 and the lower surface 104 and can enhance air circulation to the heel of the foot, e.g., during walking, in addition to changing the overall compression and resilience characteristics of the insert 500. The vents (or air vents) 506 are positioned toward the back 103 of the insert 500 and forward of the projecting wall 150.

The size, shape, and/or positioning of the vents 506 and/or the rows of holes 332 and/or the elongated slits 502 can help to optimize the ventilation and/or shock absorption characteristics of the heel insert 500, 600.

Optionally, as depicted, the vents 506 encroach on the lattice and/or some of the cavities 106, resulting in a modified lattice configuration 510 and a modified cavity configuration 512. Optionally, as depicted, at least one protrusion 516 of the modified lattice 510 is disposed between the pair of vents 506, and at least one cavity 514 of the modified cavity configuration 512 is disposed between the pair of vents 506.

The insert 500 also includes a primary aperture 508 extending between the upper surface 102 and the lower surface 104. The primary aperture 508 is partially or entirely surrounded by cavities 106 and partially or entirely surrounded by protrusions 202 and/or connecting walls 230 of the modified lattice configuration 510. The primary aperture 508 can be centrally positioned at least with respect to the opposing sides 105 of the insert 500. In some examples, the primary aperture can also be centrally positioned with respect to the front 101 and back 103 of the insert 500. The primary aperture can be any shape. In the example insert 500, the primary aperture 508 is substantially round. In some examples, the primary aperture 508 is adapted to accommodate a shock absorber extending through the insert 500.

Referring now to FIGS. 21-22, a further example embodiment of a footwear insert 600 will be described. The footwear insert 600 can be of unitary construction. Certain features of the footwear insert 600 are identical to those of the footwear insert 500, and are therefore indicated using like reference numerals. The following discussion of the footwear insert 600 will be limited to those features/aspects that differ from the corresponding features/aspects of the footwear insert 600.

In particular, the footwear insert 600 includes a primary aperture 602 extending between the upper surface 102 and the lower surface 104. The primary aperture 602 is partially or entirely surrounded by cavities 106 of a further modified cavity configuration 606 and partially or entirely surrounded by protrusions 202 and/or connecting walls 230 of a further modified lattice configuration 604. The primary aperture 602 can be centrally positioned at least with respect to the opposing sides 105 of the insert 600. In some examples, the primary aperture can also be centrally positioned with respect to the front 101 and back 103 of the insert 600. The primary aperture 602 is substantially rectangular, thereby contributing to the configurations of the further modified lattice configuration 604 and the further modified cavity configuration 606. In some examples, the primary aperture 602 is adapted to accommodate a shock absorber extending through the insert 600.

Referring now to FIGS. 23-24, a further example embodiment of a footwear insert 900 will be described. The footwear insert 900 can be of unitary construction. Certain features of the footwear insert 900 are identical to those of the footwear insert 200, and are therefore indicated using like reference numerals. The following discussion of the footwear insert 900 will be limited to those features/aspects that differ from the corresponding features/aspects of the footwear insert 200.

The footwear insert 900 includes a primary aperture 902 (of any desired shape) extending between the upper surface 102 and the lower surface 104. The primary aperture 902 is substantially centralized relative to the opposing sides 105 of the footwear insert 900 and partially defines the modified lattice configuration 910, the primary aperture 902 being surrounded or partially surrounded by components (protrusions 202 and connecting members 230) of the modified lattice configuration 910. The primary aperture 902 is also partially or entirely surrounded by cavities 106. In some examples, the primary aperture can also be centrally positioned with respect to the front 101 and back 103 of the insert 900. In some examples, the primary aperture 902 is adapted to accommodate a shock absorber extending through the insert 900.

The footwear insert 900 does not include air vents as in the footwear inserts 300, 400, 500, or 600. However it should be appreciated that the footwear insert 900 can be readily modified to include any configuration, number and/or shape of air vents desired.

Referring now to FIGS. 25-26, a further example embodiment of a footwear insert 950 will be described. The footwear insert 950 can be of unitary construction. Certain features of the footwear insert 950 are identical to those of the footwear insert 200, and are therefore indicated using like reference numerals. The following discussion of the footwear insert 950 will be limited to those features/aspects that differ from the corresponding features/aspects of the footwear insert 200.

The footwear insert 950 includes a modified lattice 960 in which an area 952 is surrounded by components (protrusions 202 and connecting members 230) of the modified lattice configuration 960. The external surface of the area 952 can be, alternatively, level with the bottom of the protrusions 202, and/or above or below the bottom of the protrusions 202. In some examples, the area 952 is coplanar with the lower surface 104.

The footwear insert 950 does not include air vents as in the footwear inserts 300, 400, 500, or 600. However it should be appreciated that the footwear insert 950 can be readily modified to include any configuration, number and/or shape of air vents desired.

Each of the example footwear inserts 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 900 and 950 includes cavities 106 in the upper surface 102 and protrusions or a lattice of protrusions and connecting members extending from the lower surface 104. With respect to each of these footwear inserts, the cavities 106 define a cavity region of the upper surface 102. With respect to the inserts 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 900 and 950, the lattice defines a lattice region of the lower surface 104. With respect to the insert 100, the protrusions define a protrusion region of the lower surface 104. With respect to the inserts 500, 600 and 900, an upper limit of the primary aperture 508, 602, 902 is disposed within the cavity region of the upper surface 102 (i.e., the upper limit of the primary aperture is surrounded by the cavity region) and a lower limit of the primary aperture 508, 602, 902 is disposed within the lattice region of the lower surface 104 (i.e., the lower limit of the primary aperture is surrounded by the lattice region). With respect to the insert 950, the area 952 can be disposed within the lattice region of the lower surface 104 (i.e., the area 952 can be surrounded by the lattice region), but not within the cavity region of the upper surface 102.

With respect to any of the primary apertures 508, 602, 902, the primary aperture occupies an area of the upper surface 102 larger than at least the area of four or six or eight or ten cavities 106. With respect to the primary apertures 508, 602, 902, the primary aperture occupies an area of the lower surface 104 larger that at least two or three or four or five or six or seven or eight protrusions 202. With respect to the area 952, the area 952 occupies an area of the lower surface 104 larger that at least two or three or four or five or six or seven or eight protrusions 202.

Referring now to FIG. 27, an article of footwear 700 (e.g., a shoe), includes an upper member 702 for removably housing a portion of a user's foot, an outsole 704 and, optionally, an insole 706. In this example, the outsole 704 includes a heel portion 708 that is vertically thicker than the rest of the outsole 704 towards the back 701 of the footwear 700. The heel insert 500, 600, 900 is disposed in the heel portion 703 of the upper member 702, and rests on the insole 706 (or optionally an interior portion of the outsole).

A slidable shock absorber 800 extends through the primary aperture 508, 602, 902 of the insert 500, 600, 900. The shock absorber 800 is vertically resiliently compressible (i.e., along the axis A) and is shown in FIG. 27 in a relaxed or non-compressed state in which an upper portion 802 of the shock absorber 800 extends above the upper surface 102 of the insert 500, 600, in which a lower portion 804 of the shock absorber 800 extends below a bottom 710 of the heel portion 708 of the shoe 700, in which a first intermediate portion 806 of the shock absorber 800 is disposed in a vertically oriented bore 712 having an open top and bottom and disposed in the heel portion 708 (and, optionally in a corresponding bore of the insole 706), and in which a second intermediate portion 808 of the shock absorber 800 is disposed in the primary aperture 508, 602, 902. Thus, the primary aperture 508, 602, 902 of the bore 712 and, optionally the bore of the insole, are all vertically aligned and in communication with one another.

A top surface 820 of the shock absorber 800 is positioned and adapted to be contacted by the user's foot (or sock covered foot) and a bottom surface 822 of the shock absorber 800 is adapted to contact a surface, such as a walking or running surface. Pressure applied between a foot and a surface resiliently vertically compresses the shock absorber 800. In some examples, vertical compression of the shock absorber 800 also results in horizontal expansion of the shock absorber in one or more of the bore 712, the primary aperture 508, 602, 902 and/or the bore of the insole 706.

In some examples, a flange can be provided at the top of the shock absorber 800 to minimize the chances of the shock absorber 800 escaping the bore 712.

The shock absorber 800 can be made of one or a plurality of materials and different vertical regions of the shock absorber 800 can be made from different materials such that one vertical region, e.g., is more compressible than another vertical region. For example, in a non-compressed state, the shock absorber 800 can include one or more relatively more compressible region(s) within the bore 712 and/or within the primary aperture 508, 602, 902 as compared with the upper portion 802 or the lower portion 804.

The horizontal cross-sectional shape and/or size of the shock absorber 800 in the non-compressed state can be consistent from the top surface 820 to the bottom surface 822. Alternatively, the shape and/or size of the horizontal cross-section can vary. In some examples, the horizontal cross-sectional shape and/or size of the first intermediate portion 806 matches that of the horizontal cross-section of the bore 712 and/or the horizontal cross-sectional shape and/or size of the second intermediate portion 808 matches that of the horizontal cross-section of the primary aperture 508, 602, 902. Thus, for example, the second intermediate portion 808 can have a round horizontal cross-section to match the shape of the primary aperture 508, 902 or a rectangular horizontal cross-section to match the shape of the primary aperture 602.

As indicated, the shock absorber 800 can be slidable. By this is meant that no portion of the shock absorber 800 is adhered to or attached to the article of footwear 700 or the heel insert 500, 600, 900 allowing the shock absorber to slide vertically within the bore 712, the primary aperture 508, 602, and optionally the bore of the insole 706.

The shock absorber 800 and the article of footwear 700 can be consistent with any of the examples of the shock absorbers and articles of footwear, respectively, and combinations thereof, described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,648,925, filed on Sep. 23, 2015, which patent is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Although in the foregoing description, terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “front,” “back”/“rear,” were used for ease of description and illustration in relating features to one another, no restriction on the use of the components and devices of this disclosure is intended by such use of the terms. For example, a footwear insert in accordance with the present disclosure can be worn such that the protrusions face upward toward the person's foot and the cavities are disposed below the protrusions.

Having described the preferred aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure, modifications and equivalents of the disclosed concepts may readily occur to one skilled in the art. However, it is intended that such modifications and equivalents be included within the scope of the claims which are appended hereto. 

1. A footwear insert comprising: a heel insert of unitary construction, the heel insert comprising: a main body member having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface defining an outer edge that includes a front portion, a curved rear portion, and two substantially straight opposing side portions; a plurality of protrusions extending downward from the lower surface, upper limits of the plurality of protrusions defining a protrusion region on the lower surface, the plurality of protrusions being integral with the lower surface of the main body member; and an area within the protrusion region that is devoid of protrusions, the area being at least as large as four of the protrusions.
 2. The footwear insert of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of cavities extending from the upper surface towards the lower surface, each of the cavities having a top and a bottom, the top being open and the bottom being open or closed and above the lower surface, the tops of the plurality of cavities defining a cavity region of the upper surface.
 3. The footwear insert of claim 2, further comprising a primary aperture extending between the upper surface and the lower surface, an upper limit of the primary aperture being disposed within the cavity region of the upper surface, the primary aperture being at least substantially centralized with respect to: a) a front and a back of the footwear insert and/or b) opposing sides of the footwear insert.
 4. The footwear insert of claim 3, wherein the primary aperture is centralized with respect to: a) the front and the back of the footwear insert and b) the opposing sides of the footwear insert.
 5. The footwear insert of claim 3, wherein a lower limit of the primary aperture is disposed within the protrusion region of the lower surface.
 6. The footwear insert of claim 1, further comprising a projecting wall extending at least partially in an upward direction from at least the rear portion of the outer edge of the upper surface of the main body member, the projecting wall comprising a curved rear component.
 7. The footwear insert of claim 1, further comprising air vents, the air vents comprising a plurality of holes extending between the upper surface and the lower surface of the main body member.
 8. The footwear insert of claim 7, wherein some of the air vents are elongated holes.
 9. The footwear insert of claim 7, wherein at least some of the air vents are configured in a plurality of parallel rows.
 10. The footwear insert of claim 9, wherein the rows of air vents include round air vents.
 11. The footwear insert of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of cavities extending from the upper surface towards the lower surface, each of the cavities having a top and a bottom, the top being open and the bottom being open or closed and above the lower surface, the tops of the plurality of cavities defining a cavity region of the upper surface, wherein the rows of air vents are disposed between a front of the footwear insert and a frontmost row of the cavities.
 12. The footwear insert of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of cavities extending from the upper surface towards the lower surface, each of the cavities having a top and a bottom, the top being open and the bottom being open or closed and above the lower surface, the tops of the plurality of cavities defining a cavity region of the upper surface, wherein the air vents include a pair of triangular air vents, and wherein at least one of the cavities is disposed between the pair of triangular air vents.
 13. A footwear assembly comprising: a heel insert of unitary construction, the heel insert comprising: a main body member having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface defining an outer edge that includes a front portion, a curved rear portion, and two substantially straight opposing side portions; a plurality of cavities extending from the upper surface towards the lower surface, each of the cavities having a top and a bottom, the top being open and the bottom being open or closed and above the lower surface, the tops of the plurality of cavities defining a cavity region of the upper surface; and a primary aperture extending between the upper surface and the lower surface, an upper limit of the primary aperture being disposed within the cavity region, the primary aperture being at least substantially centralized with respect to: a) a front and a back of the footwear insert and/or b) opposing sides of the footwear insert; and a resiliently compressible shock absorber extending above, below, and through the primary aperture.
 14. The footwear assembly of claim 13, wherein the shock absorber is adapted to expand horizontally within the primary aperture when the shock absorber is vertically compressed.
 15. The footwear assembly of claim 13, wherein the shock absorber is not attached to the heel insert and is adapted to vertically slide within the primary aperture.
 16. The footwear assembly of claim 13, wherein a first vertical portion of the shock absorber is made of a material having a different compressibility from a second vertical portion of the shock absorber.
 17. The footwear assembly of claim 13, wherein the primary aperture is centralized with respect to: a) the front and the back of the heel insert and b) the opposing sides of the heel insert.
 18. The footwear assembly of claim 13, wherein the upper limit of the primary aperture occupies an area at least as large as the tops of four of the cavities.
 19. The footwear assembly of claim 13, further comprising a lattice of protrusions and connecting members extending downward from the lower surface of the heel insert, wherein a lower limit of the primary aperture is disposed within the lattice.
 20. A an article of footwear comprising: an upper member; an outsole, the outsole having a heel portion, the heel portion including a vertically extending bore having an open top and an open bottom; a heel insert of unitary construction, the heel insert being positioned within the upper member and above the outsole and comprising: a main body member having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface defining an outer edge that includes a front portion, a curved rear portion, and two substantially straight opposing side portions; a plurality of cavities extending from the upper surface towards the lower surface, each of the cavities having a top and a bottom, the top being open and the bottom being open or closed and above the lower surface; and a primary aperture extending between the upper surface and the lower surface and at least partially surrounded by some of the plurality of cavities, the primary aperture being at least substantially centralized with respect: a) a front and a back of the footwear insert and/or b) opposing sides of the footwear insert, the primary aperture being vertically aligned with and in communication with the vertically extending bore; and a resiliently compressible shock absorber extending through the primary aperture and the vertically extending bore. 